Dr. Maisonet Presents at Social Work Development Conference

Dr. Mildred Maisonet, Assistant Professor in the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health’s Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, presented at the East Tennessee State University Social Work Professional Development Conference.  The conference, the largest of its kind in the region, was sponsored by the ETSU Department of Social Work, located in the College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences.  Dr. Maisonet’s presentation was titled, “Human Health and the Environment: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go From Here?”

Air pollution, persistent and non-persistent organic pollutants, and endocrine disrupting chemicals are some designations used to refer to groups of man-made chemicals people are exposed to.  Production and use of such chemicals after World War II, in support of, and as a result of, a growing postwar economy, were the major drivers responsible for widespread environmental contamination and increased risk of human exposure. 

Today, human exposure to environmental contaminants can occur everywhere, including the places where people live, play, study, or work.  Air, water, soil, dust, and food can serve as vehicles through which people can be exposed to environmental contaminants.  Maternal-fetal transfer of contaminants can occur after maternal exposure. 

Human exposure to environmental contaminants has been associated with disease mortality and morbidity.  Children and women of reproductive age are considered among the most vulnerable due to the role of early life exposures on adult health.  Economic, cultural, and geographic characteristics could also make people more vulnerable to exposure to environmental contaminants or to their health effects. 

Individuals and societies must take action to minimize human exposure to environmental contaminants, recognizing that these actions can have broader economic consequences. 

Dr. Maisonet’s presentation informed the participants on the main types of environmental contaminants, including sources and pathways; the human health effects associated with such exposures; and the actions that could minimize such exposures and the factors influencing such actions.